Birth of a new Iraq, or blueprint for civil war?

The Sunni reaction was immediate, with politicians queuing to denounce the move and warning of a cataclysmic reaction. Soha Allawi, one of the leading negotiators, declared: “We will not be silent. We will campaign for public awareness to tell both Sunnis and Shias to reject the constitution, which has elements that will lead to the break-up of Iraq and civil war.” Another Sunni delegate, Hussein Shukur al-Fallu, said: “If they pass this constitution, then the rebellion will reach its peak.”

The head of the committee drafting Iraq’s constitution said Tuesday that three days are not enough to win over the Sunni Arabs, and the document they rejected may ultimately have to be approved by parliament as is and taken to the people in a referendum.